Read the library blog

Be sure to vote in the August 4th primary election; it’s easy to drop off your ballots at any public library branch in the city or county. Not sure you are registered to vote? Check out the My Vote page to check your status, your districts, and your elected officials. Get educated on the propositions and local candidates on the ballot by reading the Online Voters Guide and articles from the Spokesman Review’s coverage of the 2015 elections. You can even see how much money candidates and political committees have raised by searching the Public Disclosure Commission‘s database.

Ana is an A student frantic to stay at the top and have lots of activities on her college applications. She also has to keep an eye on her thirteen year old genius brother, Clayton, who is in the same grade at Tacoma High School Zac is a gamer who lives for WashingCon, the annual Sci Fi Comic Book Convention in Seattle. Unfortunately he lifted most of his last Health report from Wikipedia and his teacher is threatening to flunk him unless he joins the quiz team for their tournament in Seattle. The tournament and Washingcon are on the same weekend! When Clayton sneaks out of the hotel to go to Washingcon, Zac and Ana have to join forces to find him before curfew. This mad romp of an adventure and unexpected romance will keep you on the edge of your seats. I recommend the Improbable Theory of Ana and Zac by Brian Katcher to readers in grades seven on up.

I think Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones is a totally charming and captivating read. I may be biased. I do like chickens. (See some of mine below) Sophie Brown has never had chickens (in fact, she has never had a pet) Sophie and her parents have inherited Blackbird Farm from Great Uncle Jim. Sophie finds a little white hen hiding in the cluttered farmyard. A little white hen with superpowers! Way out in the country, with no internet, Sophie has to write letters to the Redwood Farm Supply for chicken information (in addition to going to the library, of course). Sophie also writes to her deceased grandmother as well as Great Uncle Jim. (They don’t write back) I loved the illustrations in this book. I highly recommend this fun summer read to kids in grades five and up.